The dazzling glass tea set, under countless gazes mixed with envy, jealousy, and awe, was carefully carried down the high platform by a maid, heading toward its new owner.
"Forty-five thousand taels, forty-five thousand taels!" Xie Zhiyan repeated the number under his breath, then suddenly turned to Yue Fuguang.
Lowering his voice but unable to suppress his excitement, he said, "Lord Shaoshi, did you hear that? The most ordinary glass tea set from the glass workshop actually fetched a sky-high price of forty-five thousand taels!"
Xie Zhiyan, born with a silver spoon in his mouth and accustomed to luxury, knew that glassware was valuable. But after learning how these items were made, his illusions were shattered. Though he still found them beautiful, he never expected them to sell for such an exorbitant price.
"Because it’s the first set, the price is naturally high. Once more flood the market, it won’t command this price anymore," Yue Fuguang analyzed rationally.
"So that’s why Lord Shaoshi insisted on controlling the supply from the start? Now I understand what to do."
Their main goal was to drain the silver pouches of the foreign envoys attending the Longevity Festival.
As for the citizens of the Great Yan Kingdom—they could wait for the next batch!
Yue Fuguang: You’re not sparing them either!
"Crown Prince, don’t forget your promise to me—use the profits for the people’s welfare."
"Lord Shaoshi, rest assured. Zhiyan would never dare forget."
The next morning at court, the perceptive ministers quickly noticed that His Majesty seemed in unusually high spirits.
Though his face bore no smile, those who had served him for years could sense the joy radiating from Emperor Mingxi.
Was it because tomorrow was His Majesty’s Longevity Festival, and happiness lifted his mood?
Under the ministers’ intense scrutiny, Emperor Mingxi cleared his throat lightly. Eunuch Qian promptly announced, "Present your memorials if you have business; otherwise, court is dismissed!"
But court had just begun—dismissal was out of the question. As soon as Eunuch Qian spoke, officials stepped forward to report their matters.
[Master, the emperor is practically glowing with happiness—did he stumble upon a fortune?]
"Little Pearl, it’s called ‘radiating joy’! Since when does an emperor need to ‘stumble upon money’ to be happy? Shouldn’t he be the wealthiest man in the land?"
[If we’re talking about disposable silver in personal possession, the emperor isn’t the richest. In the Great Yan Dynasty alone, several families have more hidden wealth than him.]
"More than one family is wealthier than the emperor? Doesn’t the imperial family claim to own the entire realm?"
[We’re discussing liquid silver here—not fixed assets, not the national treasury, just the emperor’s private coffers. His reserves might pale in comparison to some nobles’ hidden stashes.]
Yue Fuguang glanced subtly at the court below. Many noticed her small gesture—some shrinking back, others straightening their posture.
"Little Pearl, is there anyone in this hall wealthier than the emperor?"
[There is. Would you like to know, Master?]
"First, tell me if their wealth was obtained legitimately."
[They earned it through their own hands and wisdom—]
As the system spoke, some ministers visibly relaxed—only to tense again when it continued:
[By embezzlement.]
Embezzlement? Who could be so adept at corruption that they surpassed the emperor’s wealth?
Emperor Mingxi: Are there such fat rats in my court?
He silently counted the silver in his private vault—excluding priceless antiques, jade, and artifacts, just gold, silver, and copper totaled a mere eight hundred thousand taels.
That was already three to four times more than what he’d inherited from his father. Back then, the imperial coffers—both state and private—were so empty even mice starved.
After years of scrimping, his savings still couldn’t match his own ministers?
Fine, be rich—but earn it honestly! Stealing what rightfully belongs to the throne? Unforgivable!
Emperor Mingxi fumed silently, eagerly awaiting further revelations from the immortal lord and the Divine Artifact.
Watching the unsuspecting minister still pontificating, the emperor was relieved. Not everyone in court could hear the "inner voices," so not all would learn that their sovereign was outmatched in wealth.
Speaking of inner voices—the envoy sent to fetch Daoist Xuanmingzi should return soon.
He and his ministers had debated endlessly why some could hear the voices and others couldn’t, yet no pattern emerged.
This uncertainty unsettled them. Having grown accustomed to the voices, how would they cope if they suddenly vanished?
Understanding the mechanism was essential for peace of mind.
As Emperor Mingxi pondered this, he discreetly pricked up his ears.
"Embezzled? Like rivers drying up while tributaries swell—so they’ve been hoarding it all for themselves?
Explain—how did they embezzle so much?
Don’t tell me it’s the usual—disaster relief funds, construction budgets? Those have always been easy targets."
[Master guessed half-right. They did siphon those funds, but the real jackpot lies elsewhere.]
"Where?"
[Silver mines!]
Silver mines!
The words echoed in the listeners’ minds, pounding in sync with their racing hearts.
No wonder—claiming a silver mine would indeed fill private coffers beyond the imperial vaults.
[And it’s no small deposit. Here’s another secret: near the silver mine lies a modest gold vein, though these fools haven’t discovered it yet.]
Gold! Untapped gold!
Emperor Mingxi suddenly agreed with the Divine Artifact—he was about to stumble upon riches!
Had his financial luck ever been this fortuitous?
First, he’d reclaimed wealth from Prince Qi, with more to come once the prince passed.
Yesterday, the crown prince reported the glassware’s staggering auction price—and he’d seen the stockpile. The items sold were mediocre compared to the exquisite collection gathering dust in storage!
Before that joy faded, today brought news of gold and silver mountains. The Divine Artifact and the immortal lord were truly his prosperity angels!
Yes, though the mines’ locations remained unknown, Emperor Mingxi already considered them his.
All lands under heaven belonged to the throne—private mining was illegal. Once discovered, the state would confiscate everything.
He’d wait for the Divine Artifact to reveal the sites, then identify the thieves pilfering his resources!
Arrests, confiscations, mining operations—all in one smooth sequence.
"So they’ve got mines—no wonder they’re rich! Set aside the mines for now; focus on the embezzlement first."
Hearing this, Emperor Mingxi nearly choked on his own saliva.
Emperor Mingxi: What? I was ready for the grand reveal, and now we’re changing topics? Fine—embezzlement works too!
He could apprehend the corrupt, trace the silver, then uncover the gold. Perfect strategy!
